On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty: The Bruins and David Pastrnak were trying to do a seven- or eight-year deal, but they couldn’t close the gap, so they settled on a six-year deal.
Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: If the Bruins young players can contribute, it might make some of their veterans expendable.
Matt Beleskey makes $3.8 million, and likely won’t be their top-six. The Bruins may not be interested in paying that much for someone to play on their third or fourth line.
Ryan Spooner makes $2.825 million and will be competing with Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson for the third line center. Spooner could be a trade candidate.
A multi-year contract extension for Zdeno Chara could slow the progress of left handed defensemen Jakub Zboril, Robbie O’Gara, Matt Grzelcyk, Jeremy Lauzon.
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins GM Don Sweeney said that they had held preliminary contract extension talks with 40-year old defenseman Zdeno Chara. Talks will continue during the season.
“Zee, I’ve had talks with him. He has indicated to us that he would like to keep playing, and we have indicated to him that we would like him to keep playing for the Boston Bruins,” said Sweeney. “As we go through camp and as we go through the regular season, we’ll continue to have those talks. But I thought it was important to let him know we’re in his corner in that regard.”
A one- or two-year deal at $3 to $4 million a season is possible. Chara makes $4 million this season on the last year of his deal.
“We reached out and had brief talks. The interest is on both sides,” said Chara. “I’ll be more than happy to stay with this organization that I signed with in 2006. I’m thrilled to be part of this organization and I want to continue to play beyond this season. Right now, it’s going to be about the team and how we get ready for the regular season.”